Conveyor belt slat

ABSTRACT

A conveyor belt includes a plurality of spaced rods and a plurality of slats, the slats including a base portion for carrying an item. The base portion has a perpendicular leading edge relative to a direction of conveyance travel of the conveyor belt and a perpendicular trailing edge relative to the direction of conveyance travel of the conveyor belt. At least one slat is pivotably coupled to another slat and one of the leading edge and the trailing edge of the at least one slat is coupled to one of the plurality of rods.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/154, 939, filed May 13, 2016, which claims thebenefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 62/161,239, filed May 13, 2015, the entire disclosure of whichis incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a conveyor belt having a pluralityof slats and configured to receive and convey a food product withoutleaving marks or deforming the food product.16

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A conveyor toaster is a well-known cooking device that uses a heatedplaten and a slowly rotating conveyor belt. The conveyor belt urges foodproduct (being carried by the conveyor belt) against the platen while itsimultaneously pulls the food product across the platen's hot surface.By virtue of its design, a conveyor toaster is able to process foodproducts continuously as opposed to the toasters commonly used byconsumers that process food products in batch mode. Conveyor toastersare ill-suited for consumer use because of their size, manufacturingcost, power requirements, and the time required to pre-heat the platento operating temperature. They are preferred, however, by restaurantsand food services that require high-volume through-put and consistentheating/toasting.

Wire conveyor belts used in conveyor toasters and in other fields oftechnology have been known for many years. Wire conveyor belts are idealfor material handling, cooking, icing, slicing, breading, cooling,filling, inspecting, and packing of products like breads, rolls, buns,donuts, confections, cakes, pies, pastries, meat, seafood, poultry, andother processed foods. The simple, open design of wire conveyor beltsprovides efficient operation with minimum maintenance and easy cleanupto meet sanitation requirements. A known exemplary wire conveyor belt(such as the belt 810 depicted in FIG. 14) comprises a plurality ofspaced metal rods interconnected by coupling “hook” and “loop”connection elements formed at the rod ends of adjacent metal rods. Inthe conveyor belt, the rods support a food product to be conveyed andhold the components of the belt together by way of the interconnectedhook and loop connection elements.

Wire conveyor belts and conveyor toasters, however, create a number ofproblems in the food industry. It has been found, for example, in someinstances that the rods of a wire conveyor belt can undesirably leave amark on a food product that runs on top of the belt which can damage thefood product and/or render it aesthetically unpleasing to the retaileror the consumer at the point of sale. The markings often becomeprominent if the product is heated while it is on the belt and/or putunder pressure, particularly when the product being conveyed isnaturally soft or pliable, such as with many food products processedusing conveyor toasters. Since product appearance is an important partof any food item, the marking can be a barrier to the use of aconventional wire conveyor belt to carry food products.

To overcome the marking problems, some conveyor belts include metalplates that attach to the metal rods to provide a uniformly flat supportsurface. One such conveyor belt, for example, is the wire conveyor beltdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,987,972, which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety. This design provides a flat support surface,but is relatively expensive to produce and can create gaps between theplates that can mark or even deform a food product. Gaps are naturallycreated in the conveyor belt when the plates rotate about a drivingmechanism. These gaps can allow for the food product to be pinched whenthe plates come together after the belt already has been loaded with afood product.

Accordingly, there exists a need in the marketplace for a conveyor beltsystem that is capable of heating and placing a food product under acompressive force without substantially marking or pinching the foodproduct.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a conveyor belt according to an embodiment of thedisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a first slat and a second slat hingedly coupledtogether according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating the first and second slats of FIG. 2hingedly coupled about a hinge pin;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a first slat and a second slat hingedly coupledtogether according to another embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a top view of a slat according to another embodiment of thedisclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates a slat according to another embodiment of thedisclosure further including an additional feature allowing a drivingmechanism of a conveyor belt assembly to grip and move the slat;

FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating a slat according to anotherembodiment of the disclosure that has a divider structure to separateitems to be conveyed;

FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating a slat according to anotherembodiment of the disclosure that has an alternative divider structure;

FIG. 9 illustrates a plurality of slats of FIG. 8 coupled to oneanother;

FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating a slat according to anotherembodiment of the disclosure that has yet another alternative dividerstructure;

FIG. 11 is a partial, perspective view of a conveyor belt with aplurality of divider structures protruding from the base portion of theplurality of slats;

FIG. 12 illustrates a drive assembly driving a conveyor belt accordingto the disclosure around an end loop of a conveyor belt assembly;

FIG. 13 illustrates an alternative drive assembly driving an exemplaryconveyor belt according to the disclosure around an end loop of aconveyor belt assembly; and

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate a suitable scaffolding for receiving aplurality of slats according to the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A conveyor belt system, disclosed herein, heats and conveys a foodproduct without substantially marking or pinching the food product. Aconveyor belt 10 according to the disclosure and illustrated generallyin FIG. 1 provides a continuous support surface for conveying an item,particularly a food item, the continuous support surface beingstructured and arranged to receive, grip, and retain the item.

A conveyor belt 10 according to the disclosure is partially andgenerally illustrated in FIG. 1. The conveyor belt 10 comprises aplurality of spaced metal rods 12 and a plurality of substantially flatmetal slats 14. The conveyor belt 10 includes a top side, or supportsurface for conveying an item. The support surface is formed by theplurality of metal slats 14 which are coupled to the plurality of spacedmetal rods 12. Each metal slat 14 includes a base portion 16 having aleading edge 18 and a trailing edge 20 relative to the direction ofconveyance travel, for example, the direction of travel T of FIG. 1. Theleading edge 18 and trailing edge 20 are perpendicular relative to thedirection of conveyance travel T of the conveyor belt 10. Each metalslat 14 couples to the conveyor belt 10 by attaching at least one of theleading edge 18 and the trailing edge 20 to one of the plurality of rods12. FIG. 1 illustrates the leading edges 18 of the plurality of slats 14coupled to the plurality of rods 12. In other embodiments, the trailingedges 20 of the plurality of slats 14 may be coupled to the plurality ofrods 12 or both the leading and trailing edges 18, 20 of the pluralityof slats 14 may be coupled to the plurality of rods 12. In anotherembodiment (not shown), the trailing edge 20 is free from attachment toother structure, i.e., free of attachment to the plurality of rods 12whether via direct attachment to the rods 12 or via indirect attachmentto the rods 12 (e.g., the trailing edge is free of attachment to adirectly adjacent slat 14 that itself is connected to the plurality ofrods 12), such that the leading edge 18 provides a hinged joint arrangedto provide at least partial rotation of the trailing edge 20 about theleading edge 18 of each slat 14.

Turning to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 is a top view of afirst slat 14 and a second slat 15 hingedly coupled together. Asillustrated, the first slat 14 has a first hook 22 and a second hook 22formed in a leading edge 18 of the first slat 14. Typically, one or morehooks 22 may be located at the leading edge 18, for example, generallyon opposing side edges 30, 32 of the base 16 of the slat 14 (asillustrated) and/or in the middle of the leading edge 18 of the base 16(not shown). Referring back to FIG. 2, each of the first and secondhooks 22 are U-shaped channel members adapted to be hingedly coupled toone of the plurality of metal rods 12. Slat 14 also comprises one ormore hinge portions 24 a formed along the leading edge 18 of the slat 14and one or more hinge portions 24 b located along the trailing edge 20of the slat 14. Each hinge portion 24 a, 24 b comprises a hollowcylinder shaped section adapted to receive a hinge pin 26. Asillustrated, the hinge portions 24 a and the hooks 22 are both disposedalong the leading edge 18 at generally the same locations along an axisLE defined by the leading edge 18, with the hinge portions 24 agenerally being disposed above the hooks 22 as best shown in FIG. 3(also shown in the side view shown in FIG. 1, when the slats are movingin the direction of conveyance travel T). More specifically, as bestshown in FIG. 3, the hooks 22 are formed at the leading edge 18 and thusfurther comprise hinge portions 24 a which are also formed at theleading edge 18. The hinge portions 24 a, 24 b are generally smaller indiameter than the U-shaped hooks 22 and are located a certain distanceabove the hooks 22 so that the hinge portions 24 a, 24 b do notinterfere with the rods 12. The hinge portions 24 b disposed along thetrailing edge 20 are generally coplanar with the base 16 and the hingeportions 24 a disposed along the leading edge 18. The slat 14 furthercomprises multiple notches 28 a, 28 b along the leading and trailingedges 18, 20. As illustrated, a middle hinge portion 24 a is spacedbetween the first and second hooks 22, the hinge portion 24 a beingapproximately equidistant from the first and second hooks 22 along theleading edge 18 of the first slat 14. While no hook 22 is shown at thelocation of the middle hinge portion 24 a , a hook 22 can be along theleading edge 18 at generally the same location along axis LE defined bythe leading edge 18, such that the hinge portions 24 a is generallydisposed above the hook 22 as previously described. First and secondnotches 28 a are located between the hooks 22 and the “middle” hingeportion 24 a along the leading edge 18. As illustrated, first and secondhinge portions 24 b are formed along the trailing edge 20 of the firstslat 14, separated by a middle notch 28 b. The notches 28 a are disposedalong the leading edge 18 in locations that generally correspond to thelocations of the hinge portions 24 b formed along the trailing edge 20of the slat 14 such that the notches 28 a can receive the hinge portions24 b when two slats 14 are coupled together. Similarly, the notches 28 bare disposed along the trailing edge 20 in locations that generallycorrespond to the locations of the hinge portions 24 a (and hooks 22)formed along the leading edge 18 of the slat 14 such that the notches 28b can receive the hinge portions 24 a when two slats 14 are coupledtogether. When adjacent slats 14 are coupled, the coupled slats 14 canprovide a substantially continuous, flat surface.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the first and second slats 14, 15 hingedlycoupled about the hinge pin 26. The first slat 14 is hingedly coupled tothe second slat 15 via a hinge pin 26, which is represented by dottedlines in FIG. 2. A middle hinge portion 24 a formed along a leading edge18 of the second slat 15 mates with the middle notch 28 b formed alongthe trailing edge 20 of the first slat 14. When the leading edge 18 ofthe second slat 15 and the trailing edge 20 of the first slat 14 align,the hinge pin 26 may slide through the through the hinge portions 24 aof the leading edge 18 of the second slat 15 and the hinge portions 24 bof the trailing edge 20 of the first slat 14. The hinge pin 26 extends adistance greater than the collective width of the first and second hingeportions 24 b of the first slat 14 and the middle hinge portion 24 a ofthe second slat 15. Generally, the hinge pin 26 is disposed through afirst hinge portion 24 a of the second slat 15 (the first hinge portion24 a being disposed above the first hook 22 as previously described), afirst hinge portion 24 b of the first slat 14, a middle hinge portion 24a of the second slat 15, a second hinge portion 24 b of the first slat14, and a third hinge portion 24 a of the second slat 15 (the thirdhinge portion 24 a being disposed above the first hook 22 as previouslydescribed), to a second side edge 32 of the base 16, i.e., the hinge pin26 extends from a first side edge 30 to a second side edge 32 of thebase 16. Once the hinge pin 26 is in place, the first and second slats14, 15 are hingedly coupled.

The hinge pin 26 mates the first and second slats 14, 15 so that theslats 14, 15 form a continuous conveyor belt surface. Referring back toFIG. 1, the partial conveyor belt 10 comprises a plurality of the slats14 depicted in FIG. 2. A side view of the first and second slats 14, 15of FIG. 2 is illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 2 best shows the first andsecond hooks 22 of each slat 14. The hooks 22 of the first slat 14 arecoupled to one of the plurality of rods 12 of the conveyor belt 10. Thehinge pin 26 connecting the first and second slats 14, 15 is locatedjust above the rod 12, allowing the first and second slats 14, 15 tomate and indeed even overlap such that a substantially flat surface forconveying an item is formed. This overlapping feature of the slat 14advantageously reduces the formation of gaps in the conveyor belt 10that can result in undesirable marking on the products to be conveyed.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a first slat 114 and a secondslat 115 are hingedly connected. FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of thefirst and second slats 114, 115, the slats 114, 115 comprising a baseportion 116 for carrying an item, the base portion 116 having aperpendicular leading edge 118 and a perpendicular trailing edge 120 ofthe base (relative to the direction of conveyance travel of the conveyorbelt), wherein at least one of the leading edge 118 and the trailingedge 120 is coupled to a metal rod of a plurality of metal rods (notshown in FIG. 4, but generally described above and shown with referenceto FIGS. 1-3, 14-15). At least one of the leading edge 118 and thetrailing edge 120 of the base portion 116 of the slat 114 comprises atab 128 comprising two posts 130 and the other of the leading edge 118and the trailing edge 120 comprises a notch 124 for receiving the tab128. Generally, the tab 128 and the notch 124 are centrally disposedalong the leading edge 118 and the trailing edge 120 (relative to adirection of conveyance travel, not shown), respectively, but of course,as mentioned above, the relative positions can be changed such that thenotch 124 is disposed along the leading edge 118 and the tab 128 isdisposed along the trailing edge.

As illustrated, the trailing edge 120 comprises two tab portions 133comprising a receptacle 134, with the notch 124 being provided betweenthe two tab portions 133 comprising a receptacle 134. Two adjacent slats114 and 115 are hingedly coupled by mating the posts 135 of tab 128 ofslat 115 with the receptacles 134 of tabs 133 of slat 114, therebycoupling the trailing edge 120 of slat 114 to the leading edge 118 ofadjacent slat 115.

In the illustrated embodiment, the slats 114, 115 also include first andsecond hooks 122 along the leading edge 118. Each of the first andsecond hooks 122 are U-shaped channel members adapted to be hingedlycoupled to one of the plurality of metal rods (not shown in FIG. 4, butgenerally described above and shown with reference to FIGS. 1-3, 14-15).

Posts 135 protruding from the tab 128 in the direction of an axis LEdefined by the leading edge 118 snap into corresponding receptacles 134provided in tab portions 133 of an adjacent slat 114 as previouslydescribed. The tab 128 provides a snap-in or push-fit feature thatallows the posts 135 to be snapped/pushed into the receptacles 134 sothat the first and second slats 114, 115 may snap and lock together.Similar to the hinge pin of the first embodiment, the snap featureallows a first and a second slat 114, 115 to hingedly couple to form asubstantially continuous conveyor belt surface suitable for conveying anitem.

Optionally, additional posts (not shown) can be provided on an interiorof the hooks 122, the posts extending from the hooks and being disposedalong the same axis LE (defined by the leading edge 118) as posts 135.Similarly, further corresponding receptacles (not shown) capable ofreceiving the additional posts can be provided in the tabs 133.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of another exemplary slat 214 inaccordance with the present disclosure, the slat comprising a baseportion 216 for carrying an item, the base portion having aperpendicular leading edge 218 and a perpendicular trailing edge 220relative to the direction of conveyance travel of the conveyor belt. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the slat 214 also include first and secondhooks 222 along the leading edge 218. Each of the first and second hooks122 are U-shaped channel members adapted to be rotatably coupled to oneof the plurality of metal rods (not shown in FIG. 5, but generallydescribed and shown above with reference to FIGS. 1-3). A clip 228extends from the leading edge 218 and beyond the hooks 222 of the slat214. The clip 228 can be coupled to a slot or opening 224 in an adjacentslat. The slot or opening 224 is formed in the trailing edge 220 of theslat 114. This embodiment is merely illustrative and many differentcoupling elements 224, 228, including a variety of male and femalecomponents, may be provided in adjacent slats in order to couple thesame.

Turning now to FIG. 6, a slat 14, 114, 214 of any of the embodimentsdescribed herein may include an additional feature formed in the base16, 116, 216 that allows a driving mechanism of a conveyor belt assemblyto grip and move the slat 14, 114, 214 in translational and rotationalmotion. For example, the slat 314 in FIG. 6 may include first and secondopenings or slots 370 located in opposing side edges 330, 332 of thebase 316 of the slat 314, the openings 370 providing surfaces that canbe engaged by a tooth (not shown) of the driving mechanism (not shown).Alternatively, or in combination with the first and second openings 370,a middle opening or slot 372 can be centrally formed in the base 116 ofthe slat 114 to provide a surface that can be engaged by the drivingmechanism. The location of the openings 370, 372 may vary according towhere the driving mechanism is placed relative to the slats and how thedriving mechanism will engage the slats. The driving mechanism(illustrated in FIG. 13) may have a plurality of teeth that fit in oneor both of the openings 370, 372 of the slat 314. Once a tooth of thedriving mechanism engages the opening 370, 372 of the slat 314, thedriving mechanism can move the slat 314 along the conveyor belt loop. Inother embodiments, the slats may be engaged by a driving mechanism byproviding a nob or a ledge formed on a bottom surface of the slat thatcan engage a furrow defined between teeth of the driving mechanism.

Turning to FIGS. 7-11, a conveyor belt 510 using any of the embodimentsdescribed herein can employ a divider 540 to separate or divide theitems to be conveyed, such as food products, on the conveyor belt 510.In the first example, a first and a second slat 414, 415 illustrated inFIG. 7 are hingedly coupled in any of the ways described herein. Thefirst slat 414 has a ramp feature 440 extending vertically from a baseportion 416 of the slat 414 where a highest point of the ramp feature440 terminates at a leading edge 418 of the first slat 414. The secondslat 415 has a ramp feature 442 extending vertically from a base portion416 where a highest point of the ramp feature 442 terminates at atrailing edge 420 of the second slat 415. The first and second slats414, 415 mate, and thus the ramp feature 440 of the first slat 414 andthe ramp feature 442 of the second slat 415 form a peak 444. Anotherdividing structure 540 is illustrated in the conveyor belt 510 of FIGS.8, 9 and 11. Turning first to FIG. 8, a first slat 514 has a barrierwall 540 at a predetermined location extending vertically from a baseportion 516 of the slat 514 to divide the base portion 516 of the slat514 into first and second compartments. FIG. 9 illustrates a perspectiveview of the plurality of slats 514 coupled to adjacent slats 514. Thedividers 540 are perpendicular relative to the conveyance travel T ofthe conveyor belt 510. In this illustrated example, every slat 514 has abarrier wall 540 projecting from the base portion 516 of the slat 514.However, this is merely illustrative, and the barrier walls 540 mayproject from every other slat or every two slats 514, and so on. FIG. 10illustrates a different embodiment than FIGS. 8, 9, and 11. The divider540 in FIG. 10 extends from the base portion 516 of the slat 514 in adirection substantially parallel to the direction of conveyance travel Tof the conveyor belt 510. The barrier wall 540 may also be disposedalong the leading and trailing edges of a slat base 516. FIG. 11illustrates a partial and perspective view of the conveyor belt 510 witha plurality of dividers 540 protruding from the base portion 516 of theplurality of slats 514. The dividing structure 540 may serve to indexfood product to be conveyed by the toaster. For example, the dividingfeatures may prevent overloading the conveyor belt, or it may be used toindex the amount of food product conveyed. The dividers may also preventthe food product from moving or getting moved by other food products onthe same conveyor belt.

The conveyor belt slats described herein can be manufactured from anysuitable material, but is preferably formed from an extrudable materialincluding, but not limited to, extrudable metals, extrudable polymers,and extrudable ceramics. Exemplary extrudable metals include, but arenot limited to, aluminum, brass, copper, magnesium, and steel. Aluminumalloys such as hard coated anodized aluminum, for example AA 6063-T6,are preferred. Exemplary extrudable plastics include, but are notlimited to, polyvinylchlorides, polyethylenes, polypropylenes, acetals,acrylics, nylons (polyamides), polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadienestyrenes, and polycarbonates. Additionally, the slats may bemanufactured using a hybrid of materials including metals and rubbers.

The conveyor belt described and illustrated herein provides a surface ofthe slats that is generally smooth. The top surface may, however, becorrugated or textured to better grip an item over a distance of theconveyor belt loop. For example, the top surface of an alternativeconveyor belt slat may include gripping features to retain an item whilethe item is transported to facilitate the frictional engagement of thefood product. The gripping features allow the top surface to grip on toany kind of surface the item may have, for example, a round or verysmooth item that can easily move or slide while being transported. Theroughness of the surface of the slats in one embodiment may be providedby shot peening the surfaces of the slats using a predetermined shotsize, as is disclosed in U.S. Application Publication No. US2010/0275789 A1, which is herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety. Alternatively, the surface of the slat may have grippingfeatures such as an abrasive coating, dimples, furrows, or protrusionsthat would be strong enough to grip the food product, but not soabrasive that the gripping features rip, tear, or mark the food product.Other features that improved surface traction include, but are notlimited to, perforations, bosses or dimples, etching, sanding/grinding,or other gripping features that are formed or molded. The grippingfeatures may be integrally formed on the top surface of the conveyorbelt slat and take the shape of a series of parallel rows of sharpridges and furrows. Of course, similar features can be addedpost-manufacturing and/or take other geometrical shapes to enhancefriction between the top surface and the item to be conveyed.Alternatively, instead of a series of rows of ridges, the grippingfeatures may be provided by a grid of textured pegs. A variety of othergeometric shapes can also be used provided that the gripping featuresenhance friction between the top surface and the item to be conveyed.

Referring now to FIGS. 12-13, a partial conveyor belt assembly 600including a conveyor belt 610 comprising a plurality of slats 614 (anyof which described herein) and a driving mechanism 650 that drives theconveyor belt 610 of the slats 614. In FIG. 12, a rounded drive 650grips the rods 612 of the belt 610 and drives the belt 610 around an endloop 611 of the conveyor belt assembly 600. In FIG. 13, a sprocket 750having a plurality of teeth 752 and a plurality of furrows 754 betweenthe teeth 752 drive the conveyor belt 710 about the end loop 711 byengaging the slats 714. To drive the conveyor belt 710, the teeth 752 ofthe sprocket 750 engage at least one opening 770 in the base portion 716of the conveyor belt slats 714 (see FIG. 6). In another embodiment, aprotruded tab or clip structure engages the furrows 754 of the sprocket750.

In one embodiment, devices comprising the conveyor belt assemblyaccording to the disclosure advantageously transport one or more foodproducts in a direction, e.g. horizontally or vertically downward alonga heated platen so as to expose the food products to the energyradiating from the platen. Any of the embodiments disclosed herein maybe part of a conveyor belt assembly that can be used in many foodheating devices, such as toasters, that require one or more conveyorbelt assemblies. For example, the conveyor belt assembly can beimplemented in a vertically oriented food heating device. A verticalfood heating device employs two conveyor belt assemblies as is shown forexample in U.S. Pub. No. 2010/0275789, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. A horizontal food heating device is disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 7,800,023, which is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

Alternatively, the conveyor belt assembly comprising one of the manyembodiments of the conveyor belt slat may incorporate heat in one ormore different ways. The conventional way of heating a food product in aconveyor toaster would be through heated platens, as mentioned above.The conveyor belt assembly described herein may incorporate heatingmechanisms to cook or otherwise heat the food being conveyed byimplementing a heated slat. In the case of a heated slat, the food beingconveyed by the conveyor belt would be treated with heat emanating fromthe slat itself. The heated slat may emit heat by absorbing heat fromexposure from a heat lamp, or the slat may be connected to a powersource and use resistive heating to provide heat directly. Additionally,the conveyor belt assembly may incorporate heat through induction, forexample, by winding an electromagnet such as iron wire around the topsurface of the conveyor belt assembly and passing a high-frequencyalternating current (AC) through the electromagnet.

Referring to FIG. 14, the conveyor belt 810 comprises a plurality ofspaced metal rods 812 disposed in succession and transversely withrespect to a direction of conveyance travel T as represented by arrow Tof the belt 810. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of spacedrods 812 are provided by a conventional wire conveyor belt (such as thebelt 810 depicted in FIG. 14) which essentially serves as a scaffoldingfor a plurality of metal slats 14 discussed in more detail below. Otherscaffoldings capable of receiving metal slats 814 may also be used. Eachrod 812 has two end portions 821 and a supporting rod portion extendingthere between. Each end portion 821 comprises a terminal hook connectionelement 808 that protrudes in a first direction, curves, and extends ina direction substantially opposite to the first direction for apredetermined distance. Each rod 812 also has two loop connectionelements 806, which are formed in the rods themselves. As best shown inFIG. 15, the hook connection elements 808 are interconnected/coupled toloop connection elements 806 of an adjacent spaced metal rod 812 so asto interlock the adjacent spaced metal rods 812. The rods 812 arepreferably formed from a suitable metal such as copper, iron, aluminum,and nickel, and/or using a suitable alloy such as steel, brass, andbronze. Stainless steel is a preferred material for manufacturing themetal rods 116 and AISI T-304 is an exemplary type of stainless steelthat may be used.

What is claimed is:
 1. A slat for a conveyor belt, the slat comprising:a base portion for carrying an item, the base portion having aperpendicular leading edge oriented relative to a direction ofconveyance travel and a perpendicular trailing edge oriented relative tothe direction of conveyance travel; a first hook disposed at the leadingedge; and a first hinge portion disposed at the leading edge and asecond hinge portion disposed at the trailing edge; wherein the firsthinge portion and the second hinge portion are arranged to hingedlycouple the slat to an adjacent slat, and wherein the first hinge portionis vertically spaced from the first hook.
 2. The slat of claim 1,wherein the first hook is a U-shaped channel member.
 3. The slat ofclaim 1, wherein the first hinge portion and the second hinge portioncomprise hollow cylinders.
 4. The slat of claim 1, further comprising afirst hinge pin extending through the first hinge portion and a secondhinge pin extending through the second hinge portion.
 5. The slat ofclaim 1, wherein the first hinge portion is located above the firsthook.
 6. The slat of claim 1, wherein the first hinge portion has asmaller diameter than the first hook.
 7. The slat of claim 1, whereinthe first hinge portion is co-planar with the base portion.
 8. The slatof claim 1, further comprising a first notch located on the trailingedge, the first notch being configured to receive the first hingeportion of a second slat.
 9. A slat for a conveyor belt, the slatcomprising: a base portion for carrying an item, the base portion havinga perpendicular leading edge oriented relative to a direction ofconveyance travel and a perpendicular trailing edge oriented relative tothe direction of conveyance travel; a hook located along the leadingedge; a tab formed in the base portion, the tab being provided at adifferent location along the leading edge than the hook; and a notchformed in the base portion; wherein the tab includes a post and thenotch includes a receptacle, the receptacle being configured to receivethe post of another slat to hingedly couple the slats to one another.10. The slat of claim 9, wherein the tab is located in the leading edgeand the notch is located in the trailing edge.
 11. The slat of claim 9,wherein the tab includes a first post and a second post and the notchincludes a first receptacle and a second receptacle.
 12. The slat ofclaim 9, wherein the hook is a U-shaped channel member.
 13. A slat for aconveyor belt, the slat comprising: a base portion for carrying an item,the base portion having a perpendicular leading edge oriented relativeto a direction of conveyance travel and a perpendicular trailing edgeoriented relative to the direction of conveyance travel; a hook locatedalong the leading edge; a clip formed in the base portion, the clipbeing provided at a different location along the leading edge than thehook; and a slot formed in the base portion; wherein the slot isconfigured to receive a portion of the clip of another slat to hingedlycouple the slats to one another.
 14. The slat of claim 13, wherein thefirst hook is a U-shaped channel member.
 15. The slat of claim 13,wherein the clip extends beyond the first hook.
 16. The slat of claim13, further comprising a notch formed in the trailing edge, the slotbeing located forward of the notch.